A new ball game

The Lions will need a magnificent seven if they are to stand any chance of mounting a fierce challenge in Australia

TWO compelling sports were available last weekend to television viewers. The
first was rugby, played in three riveting matches of the 2013 RBS Six
Nations Championship, in Rome, London and Edinburgh. The second was also
called rugby, played in the Super 15 tournament, in New Zealand and
Australia. They seemed completely different activities. The change in pace
alone was profound. And the matches in the south had men in one specific
role on the field — the openside flanker — that apparently did not exist in
the north.

No offence to the super Six of Europe. Their matches were played under
pressure, with massive national expectations, in mediocre weather. The
action in the Super 15 was quite dazzlingly fast by comparison with the Euro
plodding, the skills far more obvious and prevalent, but that does not in
itself mean the Six Nations was less worthwhile. It is monumental and of
national significance.